Carton



March 5, 1940. L. w. REAUME CARTON Filed Sept. 20, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N V EN TOR. ARM/r6274? /4/ F94 awe.

BY W M Yfie. 4 ORNEYS. v

March 5, 1940. L. w. REAUME CARTON Filed Sept. 20 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet '2 as 92 v a; .1 1.1:.

INVENTOR Law/"657a? fieazme.

JAE-

TOR NE Vs.

Patented Mar. 5, 1940 UNITED STATES RATENT OFFICE CARTON Application September 20, 1937, Serial No. 164,711

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to cartons of the type which are formed from cardboard or other laminated paper material, and particularly to cartons of the type mentioned which are adapted to hold beverage" bottles and the like. The cartons used for beverage bottles are subject to rough usage and are returned to the bottler and repeatedly reused. When filled with bottles containing a fluid, the contents of the carton are to quite heavy and it is essential that the carton have suiilcient strength to sustain the load even when the entire carton is lifted by means of a hand hole in one end wall thereof. This is necessary in view of the practice of truckers of picking up two filled cartons, one in each hand, by engaging with each hand a hand hole in the end of a carton. The use of laminated paper cartons for this purpose has become quite extensive in view of their low costs, but serious difiiculti es have been encountered in providing cartons of this type which are sufllciently strong to withstand the rough usage for any substantial length of time.

This application is a continuation in part of applicant's co-pending application Serial No.

152,598, filed July 8, 1937.

Accordingly, it is one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide a carton of the type mentioned which is simple in construction, light in weight, and so designed that it will readily withstand rough usage and particularly handling by a single hand hole in one end of the carton.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton having a special hand hole positioned centrally within the carton for lifting the same when the cover flaps are open.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton of the type mentioned which, whenclosed. will not admit light to the contents.

Another object of the invention is to provide a, carton having means to prevent accidental withdrawal of the usual interlocking partition members. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means in a carton of the type mentioned for securing the cover in closed relation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a carton of the type mentioned which is formed of only two folded blanks.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specification, the accompanying drawings,'and the appended claim.

55 In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the carton opened and with a portion of one end wall disassembled to show the mode of construction;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the 1ine.2-2 of Fig. 1; I

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view corresponding to Fig.

3, but of a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view taken on the 19 line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a transverse section of another modified fo..nof the invention;

Fig. 'l is a perspective view of the reinforcing strut or partition utilized in the form of the invention shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a further form of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 89 of Fig. 8; 20

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line l0l0 of Fig. 8; I

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of still another form of the invention; and,

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary transverse sectional 25 view of a further form of the invention.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the main body portion of the carton is preferably formed of a single sheet of laminated paper or cardboard provided with a plu- 30 rality of parallel crease lines which divide the sheet of material into a top flap ill, a half top member H, a side Wall [2, a bottom wall I3, a side wall M, a half top member l5, and a top flap Hi. The side walls l2 and I 4 are provided, 35 respectively, with end flaps l1 and I8 and the bottom wall is provided with corresponding flaps |9. When the sheet of material is folded into the forn shown, end walls 20 are secured to the flaps l1, l8, and I9 by any suitable means, such 40 as staples 2|, thus completing the main body portion of the carton. As shown best in Figures 1 and 2, it will be noted that the end walls 20 are also provided at their upper edges with a pair of flaps 22 and 24 for a purpose to be de- 45 scribed hereinafter. The carton may be provided with the usual interlacking cross-partition members 26 and longitudinal partition members 21, which divide the box into a plurality of compartments, each adapted to receive a single bottle or receptacle.

There is provided, in accordance with the present invention, a longitudinal partition member, indicated generally at 30, which extends longitudinally of the box midway of the sides I! and of a single sheet of laminated paper material and is folded along its upper edge to provide a pair of overlapping partition members 3| and 32. These partition members 3| and 32 are preferably secured'together by any suitable means'such as a staple 33, shown best in Figures 2 and 3. The ends of the partition member 3| are provided with a pair of flaps 35 and the ends of the partition member 32 are provided with similar flaps 36. These flaps are bent at right-angles to the partition 30 into the plane of the end walls 20, whereupon the fiaps 22 and 24 on the top edges of the end walls are folded over the flaps 35 and 36 and secured by means of staples 38 to the flaps and the end walls proper. By this means, the partition 30 is fixedly secured to the end walls of the carton. The partition is formed of relatively heavy material and accordingly has substantial stiffness and strength. Hence, it forms a strong reinforcement for the entire box'and particularly for the end walls. I

The reinforcing action of thepartition 30 is important in view of the fact that the end walls are provided with the usual hand hole 33, by means of which the carton may be grasped and lifted. It

' should be noted that the hand hole is so arranged that'it is located entirely within the area covered by the flaps 35 and 36 of the partition member 30 and that accordingly the hand hole is formed in a double thickness of material, thus greatly enhancing its strength. In addition, the flaps 22 and 24 on the top edges of the end wall are of such length that when bent over the flaps 35 and 36, their extremities, lie along the top edges of the hand hole 33, thus additionally reinforcing the end wall at this point. This arrangement gives a triple thickness of relatively stiff, strong material above the hand hole, at which point the greatest load is applied. Accordingly, it is possible to lift a fully loaded carton with one hand by means of the hand hole provided in one end wall without injuring or unduly straining the carton in any way.

In addition, it will be noted that there is provided in the partition member 30 an additional ,hand hole 46 intermediate the ends of the partition member. This hand hole 46 is useful for lifting the carton at any time when the lid of the box is open. This may be required for purposes of inspection, or otherwise, at the time the cartons are loaded.

In forming the hand holes in the end walls of the carton, it is possible to entirely remove the material of both the end wall and the overlapping portion of the flaps 35 and 36. However, it is preferable to leave the material of the flaps 35 and 36 partially connected to the flaps, as shown best in Fig. 2, thus providing a pair of flaps 40 and 4| at each hand hole, which normally serve to close the .hand hole and prevent the admission of light to the contents of the carton. This is particularly desirable when the carton is to be used for transporting beer bottles, inasmuch as beer can only be kept well in the dark. As shown in the drawings, the flaps-40 and 4| are preferably hinged at the lower edge of the hand hole, but it is apparent that they may be hinged at any other edge thereof. The material from which the partition 30, and therefore flaps 35 and 36, is made of suficient stiffness and resiliency, to cause the flaps to swing back into closing position after they have been displaced therefrom.

It should be noted that in the preferred form of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, that v the top edge of the partition member "is spaced somewhat below the top edge of the end walls 26. This is done in order to provide a small space 45 betweenthe top flaps I0 and I6 and above the partition member 30 when the half top members are closed, as best shown in Fig. 3. This space 45 will permit the insertion of one or more fingers between the flaps l0 and I6 for, the purpose of engaging and lifting the top of the box. It should be noted that the half top members l2 and I5, when in closed position, rest at their end edges upon the top of the end walls 20, thus limiting downward movement of the half top members beyond the position shown in Fig. 3.

The partition 30 preferably terminates just above the interlocking partition members 26 and 21 in order that each of the transverse partitions 26 can extend entirely across the carton. This is of advantage because it prevents accidental removal of the interlocking partition members 23 and 21. Such accidental removal frequently occurs when, in removing bottles from the carton, two bottles are grasped by their necks in-one hand. This inclines the bottles toward each other causing them to grasp the partitionmembers. seldom replaced, with a consequent loss to, the bottler. The partitions 26 and 21 may be collapsed and inserted or removed when desired.

If desired, the partition 30 may extend all the way to the bottom of the carton, in which event separate sets of interlocking partition members may be provided on each side of partition 30 or partition member 36 may replace the central longitudinal portion 21. In the latter event, the partition member 30 would be provided with slots similar to the slots 41 in the central partition member 21 and the lower portion of partition member 30 would be received in similar slots in cross-portions 26. The extension of partition Once removed, the partition members are member 30 to the bottom of the carton makes possible the use of lighter weight material for the partition 30 without sacrificing strength.

A modified form of the invention is shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which the partition member 30' is formed of sheet metal instead of a laminated paper material. The partition 30' is folded in the manner described with respect to the previous modification to provide a pair of partition members 3| and 32, each of which have their ends bent outwardly in the plane of the end walls 20' to form flaps 35 and 36'. It will be noted that when the partition member 30 is formed of sheet metal that it may be made of substantially less height than in the previous modificationv of the invention and that, accordingly, the lower edge thereof may conform to the upper edge of the hand hole 39' in the end walls 20'. Accordingly, the flaps 35' and 36' assist in reinforcing the upper edge of the hand hole. In this modification of the invention, the flaps 22 and 24, on the end walls 20', are of greater length, with the result that when bent inwardly over the flaps 35. and 36' they extend below the lower edges of the latter, in order that they may be secured to the end wall proper by means of staples 38'. It will be noted that the partition member 33' is not in itself secured to the end walls but is held against displacement therefrom solely by means of the overlapping flaps 22 and 24' on the end walls 20'. The material which is removed from the end wall to form the hand hole 39' may, if desired, be only partially severed, leaving a flap 40' secured along the lower edge of the hand hole for maintaining the haridihole I as shown in Fig. 4.

normally closed,

It will further be noted that in the modification just described the upper edge of the partition 38' will lie substantially flush with the top edge of the end walls and that, accordingly, there is no space correspondin to the space 45 shown in Fig. 3 in-the prior form of the invention, by means of which the half top members may be lifted, Accordingly, in this form. of the invention, a pair of finger tabs 50 and 5| are partially 'cut from the half top members H and I5'.' These finger tabs 50 and 5| are hinged to the half top members at 52 and 53 along the crease lines between the top flaps and the half top members, as best member as there is sufficient room to engage the under side of the partition member.

In Figs. 6 and 7 is shown a further modification of the construction wherein the central longitudinal partition member 18 is positioned upside-down as compared with Figs. 1 to 3 with the result that the folded edge H is at the bottom and the overlapping free edges 72 and 13 are flush with the top of the carton. An insert 14 of cardboard or other suitable material is inserted between the two layers of the partition member in order to space them sufficiently to permit insertion of thetop flaps I5 and I6 on the half top members 1 and 18 when the latter are closed. A staple 19 extends through the two thicknesses of the partition member 70 and the insert 14. The insert 14 terminates short of the top of the partition to permit insertion of the flaps 15 and 16. The material of the central partition 10 is relatively heavy with the result that the flaps I6 and 11 will be tightly engaged between the top edges of the two thicknesses of the partition 1|) and hence, the half top members will be frictionally held in closed position. As best shown in Fig. 7 the insert 14 terminates short of the ends of partition 10 and a pair of openings 19 are provided in the crease of the partition to drain any water or other liquid that may fall into the space between the partition layers. Finger'openings of the type shown in Figs. 4 and 5 may be provided to facilitate opening of the carton. In all other respects this form of the invention is similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

In Figs. 8 to 10, inclusive, is shown a somewhat different form of construction wherein the usual end pieces are eliminated and the flaps on the central longitudinal partition form the ends of the carton. As shown in these figures, the central longitudinal partition is folded double as in the previous forms of the invention with the folded edge flush with the top of the carton, and the partition 80 extends all the way to the bottom of the carton. The layer 8| of the central partition 80 is bent at its ends to form end flaps 82 and 83 while the layer 84 of the central partition 8|] has corresponding flaps 85 and 86. The flaps 82, 83, 85, and 86 are of the full height of the carton and of one-half the width of the carton with the result that flaps 82 and -85 together form one end of the carton while fiaps 83 and 86 form the opposite end. These end flaps 82, 83,

85 and 86 are secured in any suitable manner as by staples l'to flaps 8 on the side walls of'the carton and flaps 9 on the bottom wall in a manner similar to that in which the end walls 28 of the carton shown in Figs. 1.to 3, inclusive, are secured in position. In addition, the end flaps 82, 83, 85 and '88 are provided withedge tabs 82, 83, 85' and 86* which are secured to the inner sides of the side walls 94 and 95 to additionally strengthen the connection.

It will be observed that flaps '89 on the bottom walls prevent separation of the lower ends of flaps 82 and 85 as well as separation of the bottom of flaps 83 and 86 and that, since the two layers 8| and 84 of the partition member 80 are secured together at their upper-edges, the upper edges of the end flaps cannot separate. To further reinforce the end walls and prevent separation of the two portions thereof, a strip 90 of laminated paper or any other desired material is folded over the top edge of the end walls and embraces the inner and outer sides thereof as best shown in Fig. 9. The strips 90 may be secured to the top edges of the end walls in any desired manner as by staples 9| and the lower edges of the strip 90 extend flush with the top edge of a hand hole 92 formed in the end wall flaps 82, 83, 85, and 86. This arrangement results in a triple thickness of the material at the top edge of the end walls immediately above the hand holes thus greatly strengthening the end .walls, preventing separation of the two portions The side walls 94 and 95 of the carton shown in Figs. 8 to 10, inclusive, may be provided with half top members similar to those shown in Figs.

1 to 3, inclusive, Figs. 4 and 5, or Fig. 6, if desired.

However, if it is desired to eliminate a coverfor the carton, the top edges of the side walls may simply be bent over as indicated at 96 in Fig. 8 to reinforce the free top edges of the side walls.

The form of carton shown in Figs. 8 to 10 entirely eliminates the use of the separate end pieces ordinarily used in a carton of this type and at the same time embodies the central longitudinal reinforcing partition common to the other forms of the invention. Any desired arrangement of interlocking partition members 98 may be used in this form of carton.

In Fig. 11 is shown a slightly modified form of the invention similar to that shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, except that the central longitudinal partition member 60 has its folded top edge flush with the top of the carton and the half top members 6| and 62 are of unequal size, the latter being of slightly greater transverse width than the former with the result that the top flaps 63 and 64 will both lie on the same side of the central partition member 60. Finger openings similar to those shown in Figs. 4 and 5 may be provided in the half top members to facilitate opening of the carton. This arrangement results in a carton which has a somewhat heater appearance when it is closed. If desired in the forms of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, '7 and 11, the half top members may be omitted in which case the top edges of the side walls are preferably reinforced as shown in Fig. 12. As there shown the side wall I00 is bent inwardly at |0| while the end wall I02 is similarly bent inwardly at I83 to reinforce the top edges of the carton. Further reinforcement is provided by a rectangular wire frame I which is folded within the bent-over top edges'of the side and end walls.

While several forms of the invention have been shown and described, it is apparent that they all embody the common feature of a central longitudinal partition for reinforcing the carton against strains induced by the lifting of a loaded carton by a hand hole at one end thereof. In practice, it is found that the reinforcing action of the central partition is suflicient to permit a reduction in the weight of the material used for the side bottom, and top walls of the carton, with the result that when this partition memher is used, it has been found possible to sub- .1 It is apparent that various modifications in the details of constructions shown may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claim. In

the claim, the term cardboard is used. By this term is meant any relatively stifl paper or pulp board whether laminated or not.

What is claimed is:

A cardboard carton including side walls and a bottom wall connected together, a pair of par tition members formed of sheet material lying face-to-face and extending longitudinally'of the partition members, half top members on said side walls respectively, and flaps on said half top members adapted to extend between said partition members when the half top members are closed.

LAWRENCE W. REAUME. 

